A Balanced & Family-Friendly Easter LUNCH: Orange Marmalade Glazed Ham & Pickled Carrot Brioche Sandwiches

Written by Dietitian Elis Halenko 

Sponsored by The Canadian Sugar Institute

The giant pile of snow/hikeable mountain on my front lawn has officially melted and Spring has officially arrived. Easter is the perfect time to gather with family and friends to enjoy delicious food. It’s almost been 1 year since my husband and I bought our first house in Toronto, and since then I’ve enjoyed having more space (read: a dining table with more than 3 chairs). It’s been a nice excuse to invite family and friends over… and what better reason than warmer temps and the first signs of Spring. 

As a dietitian and busy mom, I believe in a balanced approach to holiday meals—one that lets us enjoy seasonal flavors while keeping things simple, fun, and budget-friendly. 

This year for Easter lunch, I’m sharing an elegant yet affordable Brown Sugar & Orange Marmalade Glazed Ham, roasted in a cast-iron skillet, then sliced thin for delightful brioche sandwiches with pickled carrots, arugula, and Swiss cheese. And because Ella, my sassy toddler chef, believes that presentation is everything, I’m cutting the brioche into carrot shapes, complete with fresh dill for a whimsical, kid-friendly Easter touch! Because Google says carrots = Easter and Spring and I’m ok with this. 

Let’s talk about effortless entertaining, and how you can create a stunning Easter Lunch without breaking the bank.

A Balanced Approach to Easter Lunch

Holidays are meant to be celebrated, and Easter is no exception! Food is more than just fuel—it’s about connection, tradition, and enjoyment. Instead of stressing about “eating perfectly,” I encourage moms to focus on balance. A well-rounded Easter brunch includes a mix of protein, fiber, healthy fats, and delicious flavors so you can feel satisfied and energized- chasing your kids around and doing all those high performance athlete related tasks moms do! This glazed ham, served on buttery brioche with crisp pickled carrots and fresh arugula, is the perfect example of a meal that nourishes without restriction.

The natural and added sugars in this brown sugar & orange marmalade glaze recipe serve an important purpose 1) they contribute to the hams’ perfect crispy exterior, caramelizing the top 2) flavour my friends! The sweetness pairs perfectly with the saltiness of the ham and the tartness of the pickled carrots.

I’ll also be serving these sandwiches with a side of green beans, asparagus, mixed green salad, a surprise dessert (it’s a surprise, because I have no idea what it will be yet… but I sense it will definitely contain chocolate), and my go-to compliment to a decadent dessert, a fruit platter. 

By adding loads of vibrant veggies and fruits, we’re turning a classic Easter ham lunch into a wholesome, satisfying meal that even picky eaters will love! Ella swears by it. 

Brown Sugar & Orange Marmalade Glazed Ham Recipe

Serves: 8-10 | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 1.5 hours

Ingredients:

1 (8 lb) bone-in ham 

½ cup orange marmalade

⅓ cup of fresh blood orange juice, if you wanna be fancy (any orange juice will do)

¼ cup brown sugar

2-3 tbsp Dijon mustard

15 whole cloves

2 tbsp of orange zest 

1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped

1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped

1 tbsp olive oil

Pickled Carrots:

This recipe is slightly modified from Love & Lemons: 

Ingredients:

6-8 rainbow carrots, sliced into sticks or  made into ribbons using a vegetable peeler 

2 garlic cloves, whole

1 tsp black peppercorns

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp coriander seeds

1 cup distilled white vinegar

1 cup water

2 tbsp white granulated sugar 

1 tbsp salt 

Glazed Easter Ham Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk together orange marmalade, orange juice, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, orange zest, thyme, and rosemary. This glaze is the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and aromatic flavors.
3. Heat olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. With a sharp knife, score some crosshatches into the ham. Sear the ham on all sides to develop a golden crust. Place whole cloves throughout the ham. 
4. Pour the glaze over the ham, ensuring it’s evenly coated. As mentioned, the natural and added sugars in this glaze give this ham the perfect crispy exterior, caramelizes the top, and adds a sweetness that pairs perfectly with the saltiness of the ham and the tartness of the pickled carrots. Basically, I’m a chef… because this is the bomb! 
5. Cover the skillet with foil and roast for 1.5 hours, basting with the glaze every 30 minutes until it reaches an internal temp of 140 F. Remove the foil for the last 20 minutes to caramelize the glaze.
6. Let the ham rest before slicing thinly for those delightful sandwiches.

Pickled Carrots Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat add the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, peppercorns and garlic. Toast, stirring often, for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until fragrant. Divide the spices among the 2-3 jars. 
2. Place the vinegar, water, sugar, and salt in the saucepan and heat over medium heat. Stir until the sugar and salt dissolve, takes about 1 minute. Pour over the carrots (I did this in a bowl). The small amount of sugar used helps to enhance the flavor and maintains the crunchy texture of the carrots. 
3. Set aside to cool to room temperature, then cover the carrots and store in the fridge. You can enjoy them 1 hour after but they have the most flavour after 2-3 days.

Ella’s Whimsical Carrot-Shaped Brioche Sandwiches with Pickled Carrots

Serves 6-8 people (or 2-3 hangry husbands) 

Ingredients:

1 loaf brioche bread (sliced)

2 cups thinly sliced pickled carrots

2 cups arugula

8 slices Swiss cheese

2 tbsp Dijon mustard (optional) Ella prefers mayo! 

Fresh dill sprigs (for garnish, or if eating dill on it’s own is your thing)

Instructions:

1. Create carrot shapes by cutting 1 slice of bread into 3 triangles, like the image shown here. 
2. Spread a light layer of Dijon mustard , or mayo, or nothing if you prefer. 
3. Layer with Swiss cheese, sliced glazed ham, pickled carrots, and arugula.
4. Press a small sprig of fresh dill into the top of each sandwich to resemble a carrot stem.
5. Serve on a platter for a festive and delicious Easter lunch!

Watch this reel to see the full recipe here! 

Entertaining for Easter on a Budget

I really want to talk about Easter entertaining on a budget because I always feel like there are a million other more important expenses a household has on a month to month basis (insert rising grocery prices meme) that we simply do not need to spend a lot when entertaining and trying to show off, I mean, make sure our guests are comfortable. 

Here are some simple ways to make your brunch elegant yet affordable:

1. Plan a Potluck-Style Lunch

Ok, I know potlucks might feel a little old fashioned, but I love them. My friends and I celebrated the winter holidays together with a potluck style spread and it was amazing. Hosting can feel like a lot of pressure for the host, so instead of handling everything yourself, invite guests to bring a dish. Assign categories like salads, sides, and desserts so you have a variety without overspending.

2. Use Seasonal Ingredients

Carrots, leafy greens, citrus, and ham are all in season around Easter, generally making them more affordable and flavorful. Build your menu around what’s fresh and budget-friendly. My husband also swears by checking flyers and seeing what’s on sale at different shops. If you have a few stores near each other, we often find a few sales and surprises at each retailer. You can also try to “price match” for retailers owned by the same corporation… We pull this little “trick” for our extensive toddler berry haul almost every week.  

3. Keep the Drinks Simple

Offer one signature Easter drink, like a citrus-infused sparkling water or a light mimosa, instead of stocking a full bar. You can also buy a box of sparkling water in cans arranged over a bin in ice and have your guests help themselves. I’m also a big fan of this water dispenser thingy, it requires minimal effort, but is very Martha of you. 

Image reference from Kitchen Stuff Plus. Products shown are for example purposes only and are not brand endorsements.  

4. Repurpose Ingredients

Use leftover ham for sandwiches, omelets, or soups the next day. Pickled carrots make a great topping for salads and grain bowls!

Budget-Friendly Easter Decor: DIY Ideas to Refresh Your Space

A festive Easter brunch table doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Here are a few easy DIY decor ideas to set the scene, your kids and littles can help!

1. Nature-Inspired Centerpieces

Use a mix of fresh flowers, greenery, and dyed eggs to create a simple yet stunning centerpiece. Ella loves going on nature walks and sticking rocks (and sticks) in my pockets; I have decided that the weight provided by the vast quantities of rocks Ella decides I need in my pockets is my new affordable work out regime. Besides the bounties of nature, a few sprigs of rosemary or thyme in small vases add fragrance and charm. I love to thrift shop for vases and glassware, you can often find beautiful vases for a few bucks a piece. That’s right, decorate your home and save the planet, one Easter at a time.  

2. DIY Napkin Bunny Ears

Fold cloth napkins into bunny ear shapes and tie them with twine for an adorable touch at each place setting. 

I love this example by Giusti on her blog Domestically Blissful. 

3. Upcycled Mason Jars

Fill mason jars with pastel-colored candies, flowers, or candles for a rustic and festive look. Or Ella can lend any one of you a bag of rocks and sticks. 

4. Chalkboard Menus

Write out your Easter menu on a small chalkboard for a cozy, welcoming vibe. If you don’t have a chalkboard, you can write the menu out on black cardboard for a chalkboard look-a-like effect, or create little menus with the help of Canva. 

A Kid-Friendly Easter Lunch

Easter brunch should be fun for the whole family, and this carrot-shaped brioche sandwich is sure to be a hit with kids! Here’s how to make the meal more interactive and engaging for little ones:

• With supervision or for older school aged kids, let them help cut out the carrot-shaped sandwiches. Kids love being part of the kitchen fun!
• Offer a “build-your-own sandwich” station with ham, cheese, pickled veggies, and spreads. Just be sure to make sure hand sanitizer is nearby, or hand washing is a priority, it is still germ season and we don’t know where those little fingers have been. 
• Serve alongside colorful fruit skewers, fruit salad or a DIY yogurt parfait bar for extra nutrition and fun.

Final Thoughts

This Brown Sugar & Orange Marmalade Glazed Ham with carrot-shaped brioche sandwiches is the perfect balance of indulgence and nourishment. With fresh flavors, kid-friendly presentation, and budget-friendly hosting ideas, you can create a memorable Easter brunch that’s both stress-free and satisfying.

As always, Easter is about more than just food—it’s about togetherness, celebration, and mindful enjoyment. So take a deep breath, savor the flavors, and enjoy making memories with loved ones.

Happy Easter from our kitchen to yours! Who is going to try this?

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